MLB Player News

Lange earned the save in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Cardinals, recording two strikeouts and a walk over 1.1 scoreless innings.

Lange struck out Willson Contreras for the final out in the eighth inning before closing the door in the ninth, working around a two-out walk to Paul Goldschmidt for his second save this season. Jason Foley was likely unavailable Wednesday after pitching three of the last four days, though Lange has continued to pitch well in a set-up role -- he's held opponents scoreless in his last 7.2 innings, allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out nine in that span. The 28-year-old right-hander lowered his ERA to 0.75 with a 1.17 WHIP 16:9 K:BB across 12 innings this season.

The Angels designated Kristofak for assignment Wendesday.

The team needed to clear a spot on its 40-man roster for designated hitter/outfielder Willie Calhoun, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday. Kristofak, 26, made one appearance during his brief stint with the Angels, allowing two unearned runs over two innings Sunday against the Twins.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Borucki (wrist) will be shut down for several weeks after being diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Borucki initially went on the injured list in early April with what was called left triceps inflammation at the time. He had a setback last month when he tried to throw and now has a new diagnosis. With an open-ended timetable, Borucki is a candidate to move to the 60-day injured list when/if the Pirates need to open up a spot on the 40-man roster.

Santos (lat) recently upped his throwing distance to 120 feet, MLB.com reports.

A recent shift to the 60-day IL didn't impact Santos' return timeline, as he was never expected to be able to make his season debut before late May. That timeframe appears to still remain realistic, and he's slated to continue throwing at the 120-foot distance throughout this week before upping his intensity again.

Alexander (ribs) threw live batting practice to Miguel Andujar (knee) on Tuesday and is now set to join Single-A Stockton to begin a rehab assignment Friday, MLB.com reports.

Alexander cleared his final hurdle to a return to the mound with Tuesday's activity, and when he does debut for the Ports, it will be his first game action since a March 6 Cactus League appearance against the Angels. Given the amount of time he's been sidelined, Alexander figures to need a fairly lengthy rehab assignment, even though he'll likely be utilized for no more than two innings per appearance once he's with the big-league club.

Spence (3-1) got the win against the Pirates on Tuesday, firing three scoreless, one-hit innings during which he recorded two strikeouts.

Spence got the fifth-inning call after starter Alex Wood labored to the tune of 93 pitches over four frames. As has become increasingly customary, Spence delivered an impressive multi-inning effort, his third three-inning scoreless outing over his last four appearances. Spence now has victories in back-to-back appearances as well and sports a 2.84 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB across his eight trips to the mound.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Kelly tweaked his right groin while fielding a grounder in Tuesday's extra-inning loss to Arizona, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Kelly was checked on by a trainer after fielding a grounder and throwing to first base in the seventh inning, but he was able to stay in the game and finish the frame, picking up his seventh hold of the season in the process. Roberts said after the loss that the veteran reliever tweaked his right groin on the play and indicated that the team would assess him Wednesday. Kelly has pitched an inning in three of the past four days, and he probably won't be available for Wednesday's contest regardless of how he's feeling, per Ardaya.

The Twins optioned Funderburk to Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Funderburk worked two innings in Tuesday's win over the White Sox, allowing a pair of runs. Since he wasn't going to be available for Wednesday's series finale in Chicago, Funderburk will head back to Triple-A while the Twins bring aboard right-hander Caleb Boushley from St. Paul to serve as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen.

Uribe received a six-game suspension Wednesday for his role in a benches-clearing brawl Tuesday in the Brewers' 8-2 win over the Rays, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports. He has appealed the suspension and will be available for Wednesday's series finale versus Tampa Bay.

In addition to Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy receiving a two-game ban, three players - Uribe, Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta (five games) and Rays outfielder Jose Siri (three games) - were suspended for their roles in Tuesday's brawl. Uribe's punishment is the most severe since he's considered to have incited the incident in the eighth inning, when he threw a punch at Siri after Siri grounded out. Uribe was ejected from the game, but he'll appeal the six-game suspension with the hope of getting the banishment reduced.

The Marlins optioned Ramirez to Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Ramirez made a good first impression in his first-ever stint in the big leagues, tossing 3.1 relief innings for the Marlins. He should get another opportunity with the big club before long.